Information processing device, item display method, program storage medium

ABSTRACT

In the present invention, when menus are displayed on a display unit, they are colored and displayed according to their kinds, so that the user can easily and immediately recognize the kinds of menus.  
     Further, in the present invention, the selected item selected from the menu is displayed at the highest luminance level and the unselected items are displayed at luminance levels which are gradually decreased as they get farther from the selected item, which can offer improved visual property of the selected item.  
     Furthermore, in the present invention, when an indicator for selecting one out of displayed items is moved in response to the movement operations of operating means to select a new item, the indicator and all items are moved and displayed altogether in an opposite direction to the movement direction of the indicator, which prevents erroneous operations and allows a next selectable item to be displayed on the display unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processingdevice, item display method, and program storage medium and moreparticularly, is suitably applied to a portable telephone.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A conventional portable telephone lists many items correspondingto various functions in a line on a display unit which is a liquidcrystal display, executes the processing corresponding to a desired itemselected and confirmed by a user with an arrow key or the like, anddisplays the processing result.

[0003] In this case, because all items arranged in a line are hard for auser not only to see but also to find out a desired item, the menus areclassified according to functions or mode and the portable telephonedisplays them in the form of menus on the display unit.

[0004] By the way, in such a portable telephone that menus are createdthrough classification into modes, the user firstly needs to display onthe display unit a menu corresponding a desired mode before selecting anitem.

[0005] In this case, the user has to confirm the menu whether it is theone which has been selected by himself because the menus created throughthe classification have all the same format. The portable telephone,however, has the display unit of a limited size and therefore, displaysthe title letters of each item in a small size, which causes problems inthat the user can not judge immediately whether the menu being displayedcorresponds to the desired mode and as a result, its operability is nogood.

[0006] Further, in such a portable telephone, although a selected itemenclosed by a frame of a predetermined shape is displayed in order tovisually differ from the unselected items, the selected item andunselected items have the same luminance level and the same color tone,which causes a problem in that the selected item and the unselecteditems are difficult to distinguish at one moment. On the other hand,some portable telephones display an selected item in an inverse video inorder to visually differ from the other unselected items, which causes aproblem in that the title letters of the selected item may be hard tosee due to the color of the inverted display area.

[0007] Furthermore, a conventional portable telephone, as shown in FIG.21(A), displays plural items corresponding to various functions of theportable telephone on a display unit 100 which is a liquid crystaldisplay, executes the processing corresponding to a desired itemselected and confirmed by a user, and displays the processing result.

[0008] In this case, the portable telephone displays a selection frame(hereinafter, referred to as a cursor) 102 of a given shape so as toenclose one item, on the display unit 100, in order to allow a user toselect a desired item by moving the cursor 102 up and down with an arrowkey or the like.

[0009] By the way, such portable telephone has a limited size of thedisplay unit 100 and therefore, displays only some (5 items, forexample) out of the plural items on the display unit 100.

[0010] In the case where hidden items (these are referred to as upperundisplayed items 103) exist above the displayed items, the portabletelephone displays an upward triangle icon 104 at the top end of thedisplay unit 100 in order to inform a user of the existence of the upperundisplayed items 103.

[0011] Similarly, in the case where hidden items (these are referred toas lower undisplayed items 105) exist following the displayed items, theportable telephone displays a downward triangle icon 106 at the bottomend of the display unit 100 in order to inform the user of the existenceof the lower undisplayed items 105.

[0012] Then, in a situation where the upper undisplayed items 103 existand the cursor 102 appears at the first end of the display unit 101 asshown in FIG. 21(B), when the cursor 70 is to be moved upward further,the portable telephone moves not the cursor 102 but all items togetherdownward (in a direction opposite to the movement operation) by one itemin order to display an item 101B, which has been hidden, in the cursor102 so that the item 101B is selectable as shown in FIG. 21(C).

[0013] Similarly, in a situation where the lower undisplayed items 105exist and the cursor 102 appears at the bottom end of the display unit101, when the cursor 70 is to be moved downward further, the portabletelephone moves not the cursor 102 but all items together upward (in adirection opposite to the movement operation) by one item in order todisplay an item 101H, which has been hidden, in the cursor 102 so thatthe item 101H is selectable as shown in FIG. 21(D).

[0014] In this way, the portable telephone allows the user to select anitem by sequentially display items, which are more than the number ofitems which can be displayed on the display unit 100 at a time, on thedisplay unit 100.

[0015] By the way, such a portable telephone does not display an upperundisplayed item 103 or an lower undisplayed item 105 which isselectable next by operating the cursor 102, on the display unit 100when the cursor 102 appears at the top end or the bottom end of thedisplay unit 100, which causes a bad-operability problem because theuser can not know which item is selectable next.

[0016] In addition, when the cursor 102 being displayed at the top endof the display unit 100 is to be moved upward or the cursor 102 beingdisplayed at the bottom end of the display unit 100 is to be moveddownward, such portable telephone moves all items in a directionopposite to the movement operation. It means that the direction of theinputted operation and the movement direction of the screen display arenot the same, and the cursor 102 itself does not move, which causes abad-operability problem in that it is hard for the user to recognizewhether his movement operation has been surely entered.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention is made in view of above points and intendsto propose an information processing device, an item display method anda program storage medium, which realizes the display of items easy tosee, with high usability and operability.

[0018] To solve such problems, in this invention, an arbitrary itemselected in response to on the operation of a predetermined operatingmeans from a menu comprising a plurality of items being displayed on adisplay unit by a menu display means is recognized, the selected itemrecognized is displayed at the highest luminance level and thenon-selected items, which have not been recognized, are displayed atluminance levels which are gradually decreased as they get farther fromthe selected item, so that the selected item is easy to see because ofits brightness and as a result, the user naturally focuses on theselected item and thus, the selected item can get much easier to see.

[0019] Further, in this invention, when plural kinds of menus is to bedisplayed on the display unit, each menu is displayed in a differentcolor according to its kind, so that the user can easily recognize thekind of menu from its color by intuition.

[0020] Furthermore, in this invention, at least some of plural items arelisted and displayed in the display area of the display unit, anindicator for selecting one out of the items being displayed in thedisplay area is displayed in the display area, and when a new item isselected by moving the indicator in response to the movement operationof operating means, the indicator and all items are shifted altogetherby one item in a direction opposite to the movement direction of theindicator, so that the direction of the movement operation and themovement direction of the indicator are always the same and an itemwhich is selectable next is always displayed on the display unit, whichoffers improved usability and prevents erroneous operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external construction ofa camera-integrated digital portable telephone in one embodiment of thisinvention.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an upper body with a cameraunit rotated.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the crosssectional construction of a jog dial.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuitry of thecamera-integrated digital portable telephone.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between abasic program and application programs.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a menu-and-item selection processingprocedure.

[0027]FIG. 7 is an illustration showing a menu screen.

[0028]FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a setting menu.

[0029]FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a color solid.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a menu-rotation display processingprocedure.

[0031]FIG. 11 is illustrations showing an example of a menu-rotationdisplay.

[0032]FIG. 12 is illustrations explaining the display order of the menurotation.

[0033]FIG. 13 is illustrations explaining a display of alower-hierarchical menu.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a cursor movement processingprocedure.

[0035]FIG. 15 is illustrations explaining the movement of the cursor.

[0036]FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing variations in luminancelevels.

[0037]FIG. 17 is illustrations explaining the movement of the cursor.

[0038]FIG. 18 is illustrations explaining the movement of the cursor.

[0039]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a cursor movement processingprocedure.

[0040]FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing variations in luminancelevels in another embodiment.

[0041]FIG. 21 is illustrations explaining the movement of the cursor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] One embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] (1) Construction of Camera-integrated Portable Telephone

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 shows, as a whole, acamera-integrated portable telephone (hereinafter, referred to as aportable telephone) as an information processing device of thisinvention and is divided into an upper body 3 and a lower body 4 with acentral hinge 2 as a border and thereby, it is foldable at the hinge 2.

[0045] The upper body 3 has a telescopic antenna 5 for transmission andreception at the top on the left, and a camera unit 6 which can berotated within approximately 180 degrees, at the center top so as totake a picture of a desired subject with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)camera 7 of the camera unit 6.

[0046] When a user rotates the camera unit 6 by approximately 180degrees, a speaker 8 provided in the center on the back of the cameraunit 6 faces to the front as shown in FIG. 2 and thereby, the mode isswitched to a normal voice communication mode.

[0047] In addition, the upper body 3 has the display unit 9 which is acolor liquid crystal display with 256 colors on the front thereof, sothat the display unit 9 can display various information including menuscorresponding to various functions, reception quality of radio waves,battery level, history of outgoing calls, history of incoming calls,electronic mails, simple homepages, pictures taken with the CCD camera 7of the camera unit 6.

[0048] On the other hand, the lower body 4 has a microphone 10 and amemo button 1 at the bottom on the front surface thereof, so that themicrophone 10 can collect user voice during conversation and recordvoice of the communication mate in response to pressing the memo button11.

[0049] In addition, the lower body 4 has a plurality of operation keys12 comprising numeral keys from 0 to 9, a call key, a redial key, anend/power key, a clear key and an e-mail key, in the center on the frontsurface, rotation/press operating means (jog dial) 13 which can berotated and pressed, above the operation keys 12, a left-direction key14 and a right-direction key 15 for instructing left and rightmovements, on the both sides of the jog dial 13, as an operationinputting section 16, so as to perform various processing such as amenu/item selection, calling, writing of an e-mail, and datacommunication, in response to operations of the operation inputtingsection 16.

[0050] For example, the portable telephone 1 selects a telephone numberdesired by a user from a directory list being displayed on the displayunit 9, in accordance with the rotation operation of the jog dial 13,and confirms the selected telephone number in response to pressing thejog dial 13 and thereby, it automatically call on the telephone number.

[0051] The jog dial 13 is attached with a cylindrical rotating means 13Aslightly projecting from the front surface of the lower body 4 as shownin FIG. 3 so that, for example, the user can easily rotate the rotatingmeans 13A with his thumb.

[0052] This jog dial 13 generates a pulse signal according to therotation operation via a built-in rotary encoder every time when therotating means 13A is rotated, in order to notice internal circuits ofhow much the rotating means 13A has been rotated, and then when therotating means 13A is pressed, it notices the internal circuits via apush switch 13B that an item has been confirmed.

[0053] It should be noted that the lower body 4 has a battery pack, notshown, contained on the back side thereof, and each circuit block issupplied with power from the battery pack when power is turned on inresponse to operating the operation key 12, in order to be active.

[0054] In addition, the lower body 4 has a memory stick slot 18 foraccepting a removable memory stick (trademark of Sony Corporation) 17 atthe top on the left side thereof, in order to record voice of acommunicating mate in the memory stick 17 in response to pressing thememo button 11, and to record e-mails, simple homepages, pictures takenwith the CCD camera 7 and also to take out recorded various data inaccordance with the operations of the operation inputting section 16.

[0055] This memory stick 17 is a kind of flash memory card which hasbeen developed by assignee of this application, Sony corporation, andhas a flash memory element made by containing EEPROM (ElectricityErasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) which is a electricallyrewritable and erasable non-volatile memory, in a small thin plasticcase, so that various data including picture, voice, music can be storedin and read out the memory stick via a ten-pin terminal.

[0056] Further, as to the change in the specification of the built-inflash memory element, such as capacity increase, the memory stick 17adopts a special serial protocol which has compatibility with otherdevices, and offers high performance with the maximum recording rate of1.5 [MB/s], the maximum reading rate of 2.45 [MB/s] and high reliabilitywith a switch for preventing an erroneous delete.

[0057] As a result, since the portable telephone 1 can be used with theremovable memory stick 17 inserted therein, data can be shared withother electric devices via the memory stick 17.

[0058] (2) Circuit Structure of Camera-integrated Digital PortableTelephone

[0059] Next, the circuit structure of the portable telephone 1 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 4. This portable telephone 1 has such astructure that a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20 for entirelycontrolling the various functions of the portable telephone 1 isconnected by a bus BUS with a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21, a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 22, the display unit 9, the CCD camera 7, atransmission/reception circuit 23, the operation inputting section 16composed of the operation keys 12, the jog dial 13 and the left- andright-direction keys 14, 15, a memory stick interface 24 fortransmitting/receiving data with the memory stick 17 inserted into thememory stick slot 18 through the bus BUS, and an external interface 25for performing data communications with an external device such as apersonal computer and PDA (Personal Data Assistant), and thetransmission/reception circuit 23 is connected with the microphone 10,the speaker 8 and the antenna 5.

[0060] In addition, the portable telephone 1 has the basic program andvarious application programs stored in the ROM 22, so that the CPU 20reads these various programs and executes them in the RAM 21 in order torealize various functions.

[0061] For example, the CPU 20 controls the transmission/receptioncircuit 23 based on information on the operations of the operationinputting section 16 in accordance with the basic program, in order toperform various communication processing such as calling, call-endingprocessing.

[0062] That is, the transmission/reception circuit 23 makes a call bytransmitting a predetermined control signal to a base station (notshown) via the antenna 5 under the control of the CPU 20, and alsoreceives an incoming-call signal from the base station via the antenna 5and then makes an incoming-call notice to the CPU 20.

[0063] Then, during conversation, the transmission/reception circuit 23generates an audio signal by amplifying and then demodulating thereception signal received via the antenna 5 and then outputs it to thespeaker 8, and also generates a transmission signal by modulating andthen amplifying the audio signal inputted from the microphone 10 andthen transmits it via the antenna 5.

[0064] In addition, the CPU 20 performs capture processing bycontrolling the CCD camera 7 based on information on operations of theoperation inputting section 16 in accordance with a video processingprogram. The CPU 20 stores video data taken with the CCD camera 7 intothe RAM 21 once, so as to display the video data on the display unit 9,store it into the memory stick 17, and transmit it via thetransmission/reception circuit 23, as required.

[0065] (3) Menu Display Processing

[0066] In the portable telephone 1, the basic program 27, the devicedriver 28, the display program 29, and the menu display control program26 are taken out from the ROM 22 and put in the RAM 21 as shown in FIG.5, in order to execute the menu display processing on the display unit 9in response to the operations of, for example, the left-direction key14, right-direction key 15 and jog dial 13 of the operation inputtingsection 16 in accordance with mainly the menu display control program26.

[0067] That is, in the portable telephone 1, when the left-direction key14 or the right-direction key 15 is pressed or the jog dial 13 isrotated or pressed, for example, an input signal corresponding to theoperation of the left-direction key 14, right-direction key 15 or jogdial 13 is given from the device driver 28 to the menu display controlprogram 26 via the basic program 27, and thereby performing the menudisplay processing on the display unit 9 in accordance with the menudisplay control program 26 and the display program 29.

[0068] When the portable telephone 1 is turned ON, it starts a routineRT1 shown in FIG. 6 at start step and moves to step SP1. At step SP1,the CPU 20 of the portable telephone 1 displays an initial menu screen30 on the display unit 9 as shown in FIG. 7 and moves to next step SP2.

[0069] Specifically, the CPU 20 displays a plurality of icons indicatinga reception quality of radio waves, an electronic mail, a message memo,key lock and a battery level at the top end of the menu screen 30 and asetting menu 31 corresponding a setting mode in the center of thescreen.

[0070] In addition, the CPU 20 arranges my select menu 32, tool menu 33,directory menu 34 and memory stick menu 35 behind the setting menu 31 soas to see only parts of these menus from both sides of setting menu 31,which offers a visual three-dimensional display as if the four kinds ofmenus 32 to 35 exist behind the setting menu 31. That is, it has suchvisual effect that users can see the menu screen 30 three-dimensionally.

[0071] It should be noted that the CPU 20 gradually decreases theluminance levels of the four kinds of menus 32-35 arranged behind thesetting menu 31, to about half of that of setting menu 31 at maximum,and as a result, the existence of the four kinds of menus 32 to 35displayed behind the setting menu 31 is tacitly displayed while thesetting menu 31 in front is remarkably displayed.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, an item display frame 41 of the setting menu31 has a mode display area 42 for displaying the title letters “setting”which indicates a setting mode at the top in the item display frame 41,and an item display area 43 for displaying eight kinds of items whichcan be set in this setting mode: “volume” item 51; “screen” item 52;“call” item 53; “manner” item 54; “security” item 55; “setup” item 56;“MS utility” item 57; and “power” item 58, in a line as an initialdisplay.

[0073] It should be noted that “mail” item 59 and “camera” item 60 arenot displayed and they are hidden below the item display area 43 in theinitial display (these items which are hidden below are referred to aslower undisplayed items 61), and a downward triangle icon 62 isdisplayed at the bottom end of the item displayed area 43 to notice auser of the existence of the lower undisplayed items 61.

[0074] Similarly, when items which are hidden above the item displayarea 43 (these items are referred to as upper undisplayed items 63)exist (FIG. 17(C)), an upward triangle icon 64 is displayed at the topof the item display area 43 to notice a user of the existence of theupper undisplayed items 63.

[0075] In this embodiment, in the case of displaying the setting menu 31in front on the menu screen 30, the CPU 20 can make the user recognizethat “volume” item 51 is currently selected, by displaying “volume” item51 arranged on the first line of the item display area 43 with aslightly bigger rectangular indicator (hereinafter, referred to as acursor) 70 enclosing “volume” item 51 and also with the title letters of“volume” item 51 displayed in a larger size than those of the otherunselected items.

[0076] In this case, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of “volume”item 51 being selected with the cursor 70 in 16 point while displayingthe title letters of the unselected items in 14 point, so that the titleletters of “volume” item 51 can become remarkable.

[0077] In addition, the CPU 20 colors the frame 41A and the mode displayarea 42 composing the item display frame 41 in, for example, red, colorsthe area of each item in the item display area 43 (background againstthe title letters of each item 51-58) in, for example, black, and colorsthe title letters in white which contracts vividly with the colors ofthe mode display area 42 and the item display area 43.

[0078] Then, in the case where “volume” item 51 is selected with thecursor 70, the CPU 20 changes the area color of the cursor 7b fromblack, which is the color in the item display area 43, to red, so thatthis red can make the user recognize immediately that “volume” item 51is currently selected with the cursor 70.

[0079] Further, the CPU 20 colors the area inside the cursor 70 in redwhich contrasts vividly with black which is the area color of the itemdisplay area 43, so that the cursor 70 itself can become moreremarkable.

[0080] In addition, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of “volume”item 51 being selected with the cursor 70 at the highest luminance level(100[%]), so that the white title letters can contrast more vividly withthe color (red) of the cursor 70, which can make the user easilyrecognize that “volume” item 51 is currently selected with the cursor 70and also which can significantly improve the visual recognition of thetitle letters of “volume” item 51.

[0081] Specifically, the luminance level for the title letters of“volume” item 51 being selected by the cursor 70 is taken to as 100[%],the CPU 20 displays the title letters of “screen” item 52 arrangedbelow, the title letters of “call” item 53 arranged further below, andthe title letters of “manner” item 54 to “power” item 58 arrangedfurther below at the decreased luminance levels of 90[%], 70[%] and50[%], respectively, and also strengthens the color tones of their titleletters so as to gradually get closer to red which is a color of theitem display frame 41.

[0082] Referring to a spatial coordinate which is represented in theform of a color solid as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 20 controls thedisplay of the title letters of the items in such a way that thecoordinate values of the title letters in the spatial coordinate arechanged to L1(Y1, CB1, CR1), L2(Y2, CB2, CR2), L3(Y3, CB3, CR3), L4(Y4,CB4, CR4) as the items get farther from “volume” item 51 being selectedby the cursor 70, and thereby the luminance levels of the title letterscan be gradually decreased to 90[%], 70[%] and 50[%] and the color tonesof the title letters can be strengthened to get closer to red.

[0083] Thus, as to “volume” item 51 being selected by the cursor 70, theCPU 20 can significantly enhance the contrast of its title letters withthe color (red) of the cursor 70, so as to clearly display their outlineand to make it much easier to recognize the selected item as comparedwith the other unselected items and as a result, the user's attention isdrawn to “volume” item 51 being selected by the cursor 70.

[0084] Then, when the jog dial 13 is rotated while the menu screen 30 isdisplayed on the display unit 9, the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 upwardor downward to select a next item in accordance with the cursor movementprocessing procedure which will be described later.

[0085] In the jog dial 13, rotating operation causes a light catch(hereinafter, referred to as a rotation click) every predeterminedrotation degrees and thereby, the rotation clicks make the user feel howmuch he has rotated the jog dial 13.

[0086] When the jog dial 13 is rotated by one rotation click, the CPU 20moves and displays the cursor 70 by one item in the rotation operationdirection.

[0087] In this case, since the CPU 20 moves and displays the cursor 70 ⅓step at a time between items, the cursor 70 looks to move smoothly,which offers a visual effect to users as if the cursor 70 slides.

[0088] In addition to the setting menu 31 colored in red on the menuscreen 30 (FIG. 7), the CPU 20 colors my select menu 32 in blue, toolmenu 33 in orange, directory menu 34 in yellow, memory stick menu 35 ingreen, which can make the user immediately recognize the kinds of menusfrom the colors of the menus 31-35.

[0089] At step SP2, the CPU 20 judges whether the left-direction key 14or right-direction key 15 has been pressed on the menu screen havingsetting menu 31 arranged in front. When a negative result is obtained,this means that any of the left-direction key 14 and right-direction key15 has not been pressed, and then the CPU 20 moves to step SP3.

[0090] On the contrary, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP2, this means that one of the left-direction key 14 andright-direction key 15 has been pressed, and then the CPU 20 moves tonext subroutine SRT2.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 20 starts the menu rotation displayprocessing procedure at start step of the subroutine SRT2, and moves tonext step SP11.

[0092] At step SP11, the CPU 20 judges the menu rotation directioncorresponding to the pressing operation of the left-direction key 14 orright-direction key 15, and then moves to next step SP12. In this caseof pressing the right-direction key 15, for example, the CPU 20determines such menu rotation direction as to display tool menu 33 infront following setting menu 31 (FIG. 7), and in the case of pressingthe left-direction key 14, on the other hand, the CPU 20 determines suchmenu rotation direction as to display my select menu 32 in frontfollowing setting menu 31.

[0093] In this connection, in the portable telephone 1, the user canchange the setting of the portable telephone 1 according to hisfavorites so that, for example, pressing the right-direction key 15 isfor a menu rotation direction to display my select menu 32 in frontfollowing setting menu 31 and pressing the left-direction key 14 is fora menu rotation direction to display tool menu 33 in front followingsetting menu 31.

[0094] When the CPU 20 determines the menu rotation directioncorresponding to the pressing of the right-direction key 15, forexample, at step SP12, it deletes the items of setting menu 31, reducesthe size in the horizontal direction of the item display frame 41 anddecreases the luminance level of setting menu 31 to 50[%] of that in aninitial display, as shown in FIG. 11(B), from such the initial displaythat setting menu 31 is displayed in front as shown in FIG. 11(A), andmoves to next step SP13. In this case, the CPU 20 slightly rotates anddisplays setting menu 31 and the other menus 32-35 arranged behind.

[0095] At step SP13, the CPU 20 starts to enlarge the size in thehorizontal direction of tool menu 33 which is to be displayed in frontnext as shown in FIG. 11(C), and moves to next step SP14.

[0096] In this point, the CPU 20 further rotates my select menu 32,directory menu 34, memory stick menu 35 in addition to setting menu 31,and tool menu 33, as compared with the display at step SP12, so thatdirectory menu 34 is totally hidden and is not displayed in this time.

[0097] At step SP14, the CPU 20 overlies tool menu 33 onto setting menu31 and displays the side of directory menu 34, which was hidden at thetime of step SP13, behind memory stick menu 35 as shown in FIG. 11(D) bycontinuing to rotate the menus 31-35, and then moves to next step SP15.

[0098] At step SP15, the CPU 20 displays next tool menu 30 in the centerand enlarges its size in the horizontal direction to be full and thendisplay various items corresponding to tool menu 33 at the luminancelevels for the initial display as shown in FIG. 11(E), and then moves tostep SP3 of routine RT1.

[0099] As described above, the CPU 20 rotates and displays the variousmenus 31-35 in a menu rotation direction corresponding to pressing ofthe left-direction key 14 or the right-direction key 15, and that is, asshown in FIGS. 12(A)-(E), the CPU 20 can sequentially rotate and displaythe menus 31-35 in a circular manner in both of right and leftdirections in accordance with pressing of the left-direction key 14 andright-direction key 15 from a display having setting menu 31 arranged infront, for example.

[0100] Therefore, the CPU 20 sequentially rotate and display the menus31-35 while the right-direction key 15, for example, continues to bepressed, so that even a user desired menu passes the front position, theuser can continue to press the right-direction key 15 for another onecircle, without pressing the left-direction key 14, which allows theuser to select a selection process.

[0101] At step SP3, the CPU 20 judges in a situation where the menuscreen 30, for example, is positioned in front in response to pressingof the left-direction key 14 and right-direction key 15 as describedabove, whether the user has rotated the jog dial 13.

[0102] When a negative result is obtained at step SP3, which means thatthe jog dial 13 has not been rotated and then, the CPU 20 moves to stepSP4.

[0103] At step SP4, the CPU 20 judges in a situation where “volume” item51, for example, is selected by the cursor 70, whether the jog dial 13has been pressed. When a negative result is obtained at step SP4, whichmean that the jog dial 13 has not been pressed and then, the CPU 20repeats the processing of step SP2 and following steps.

[0104] On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP4, which means that “volume” item 51 being selected has been confirmedby pressing the jog dial 13 and then, the CPU 20 moves to next step SP5.

[0105] At step SP5, the CPU 20 displays a volume setting screen 38 inthe lower hierarchical layer of “volume” item 51 confirmed, in place ofsetting menu 31, as shown in FIGS. 13(A) and (B) and then, moves to nextstep SP6 to terminate the menu item selection processing procedure.

[0106] At this time, the CPU 20 colors the area of the volume settingscreen 38 in red which is the same color as the setting menu of thehigher hierarchical layer, so that the user who is setting volume on thevolume setting screen 38 can recognize that he is doing setting on thescreen which is in the lower hierarchical layer of the setting menu 31in the setting mode.

[0107] On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP3, which means that the jog dial 13 has been rotated and in this case,the CPU 20 moves to step SP7.

[0108] The CPU 20 judges at step SP7 whether the rotation of the jogdial 13 causes the cursor 70 to move to an end item in the item displayarea 43.

[0109] When a negative result is obtained at step SP7, which means thatthe rotation does not cause the cursor 70 to move an end item in theitem display area 43 and in this case, the CPU 20 executes the cursormovement processing 1 of the subroutine SRT2.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 20 starts the subroutine SRT2 atstart step and moves to next step SP21.

[0111] In the case where “volume” item 51 is selected with the cursor 70on the setting menu 31 as shown in FIG. 15(A), for example, the titleletters of “volume” are displayed in 16 pint at a luminance level of100% corresponding to the coordinate value L1 (Y1, CB1, CR1) in thespatial coordinate of the color solid as shown in FIG. 9, and also thetitle letters of next “screen” item 52 unselected are displayed in 14point at a luminance level of 90% corresponding to the coordinate valueL2 (Y2, CB2, CR2), and at step SP21 the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 by ⅓step in the rotation direction of the jog dial 13 as shown in FIG. 15(B)from that situation and moves to next step SP22.

[0112] In this connection, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of“screen” item 52 in 14 point so as to show them in the middle areaobtained by dividing the area of the item 52 into three, and the otherunselected items are displayed in the same way.

[0113] Moved by ⅓ step, the cursor 70 focuses on an area consisting ofan area 51A which is the ⅔ area of “volume” item 51 and an area 52Awhich is the ⅓ area of the next “screen” item 52, and therefore at stepSP22 the CPU 20 changes the title letters of “volume” item 51 from 16point to 14 point and displays the title letters of “volume” item 51 atthe luminance level (50%) and color tone corresponding to the coordinatevalue L4(Y4, CB4, CR4) in the spatial coordinate of the color solid.

[0114] Simultaneously, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of the next“screen” item 52 at a luminance level (50%) and color tone correspondingto the coordinate value L4(Y4, CB4, CR4) in the spatial coordinate ofthe color solid without changing their letter size of 14 point and then,moves to next step SP23.

[0115] The CPU 20 judges at step SP23 whether the cursor 70 has moved tofocus on only the next “screen” item 52. When a negative result isobtained, which means that the cursor is not just on the next “screen”item 52 and in this case, the CPU 20 returns to step SP21 and repeatsthe above processing.

[0116] In this case, the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 by another ⅓ stepfrom the display situation of setting menu 31 shown in FIG. 15(B) andthus setting menu 31 is in a display situation shown in FIG. 15(C).“Volume” item 51 and “screen” item 52 shown in FIG. 15(C) are displayedat the same luminance level and color tone as those of setting menu 31shown in FIG. 15(B).

[0117] On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP23, which means that the cursor 70 has been moved and now ispositioned just on the next “screen” item 52 and in this case, the CPU20 moves to next step SP24.

[0118] Since the cursor 70 has moved to be just on the next “screen”item 52 as shown in FIG. 15(D), the CPU 20 displays “screen” item 52with changing its title letters to those in 16 point and at theluminance level of 100% corresponding to the coordinate value L1(Y1,CB1, CR1) in the spatial coordinate of the color solid at step SP24.

[0119] Simultaneously, the CPU 20 displays the currently unselected“volume” item 51 and “call” item 53, which are arranged above and nextrespectively, without changing its letter size of 14 point and withchanging its title letters to those at the luminance level of 90% andcolor tone corresponding to the coordinate value L2(Y2, CB2, CR2),displays “manner” item 54 with changing its title letters to those atthe luminance level of 70% and color tone corresponding to thecoordinate value L3(Y3, CB3, CR3), displays “security” item 55 and thesuccessive items with changing their title letters to those at theluminance level of 50% and color tone corresponding to the coordinatevalue L4(Y4, CB4, CR4), and then returns to step SP2 of routine RT1.

[0120] That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 20 controls the display ofthe setting menu 31 so that the luminance levels of the title letters of“volume” item 41-“power” item 58 are based on a luminance level controlpattern P1 shown by a solid line, and further in the case where “setup”item 56 is selected by moving the cursor 70, the CPU 20 controls thedisplay based on a luminance level pattern P2 shown by a dotted line.Thereby, an selected item, which is selected with the cursor 70, isalways displayed at the highest luminance level and the unselected itemsare displayed at the luminance levels which are decreased as they getfarther from the selected item.

[0121] On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP7, which means that the rotation operation of the jog dial 13 causesthe cursor to be positioned on an end item in the item display area 43and in this case, the CPU 20 moves to next step SP8.

[0122] At step SP8, the CPU 20 judges whether undisplayed items (lowerundisplayed items 61 or lower undisplayed items 63) exist in themovement direction of the cursor 70.

[0123] When a negative result is obtained at step SP8, which means thatundisplayed items do not exist in the movement direction of the cursor70 and in this case, the CPU 20 executes the cursor movement processing1 of the aforementioned subroutine SRT2.

[0124] This situation is such a situation that, for example, the cursor70 selects the second item (“mail” item 59, in this case) from the endin the item display area 43 as shown in FIG. 17(A) and the jog dial 13is to be rotated in the end direction (in a downward direction, in thiscase).

[0125] Note that, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 do not has icons which should beattached to items, but shows only the item display area 43, items 51-60,and cursor 70 to simply explain how the cursor 70 moves.

[0126] In this case, the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 three times ⅓ stepat a time in a downward direction as shown in FIG. 17(B)-FIG. 17(D), andas shown in FIG. 17(D), displays the cursor 70 on a bottom item(“camera” item 60, in this case) in the item display area 43.

[0127] On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained at stepSP8, which means that undisplayed items exist in the movement directionof the cursor 70 and in this case, the CPU 20 executes the cursormovement processing 2 of the subroutine SRT3.

[0128] This situation is a situation shown in FIG. 18, that is, forexample, the cursor,70 selects the second item (“MS utility” item 57, inthis case) from the end in the item display area 43, undisplayed items(lower undisplayed items 61, in this case) exist on the end side and thejog dial 13 is to be rotated in the end direction.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 20 starts the subroutine SRT3 atstart step and moves to next step SP25.

[0130] The CPU 20 moves and displays the cursor 70 by ⅔ step in therotation direction of the jog dial 13 at step SP25 and moves to nextstep SP26.

[0131] The CPU 20 displays “MS utility” item 57, which has beenselected, at the luminance level of 50% with changing the title lettersize from 16 point to 14 point, and then moves to next step SP27.

[0132] At step SP27, the CPU 20 moves “power” item 58 which is to beselected next, by ⅓ step in an direction opposite to the rotationdirection of the jog dial 13 so as to be under the cursor 70 and alsodisplays this item at the luminance level of 100% with changing itstitle letter size from 14 point to 16 point, as shown in FIG. 18(B), andthen moves to next step SP28.

[0133] At step SP28, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of the otherunselected items at gradually decreased luminance levels, and moves tonext step SP29.

[0134] At step SP29, the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 and the selected“power” item 58 by ⅓ step in a direction opposite to the rotationdirection of the jog dial 13 and also moves the other unselected itemstogether by one item ({fraction (3/3)} step) in the opposite directionas shown in FIG. 18(C).

[0135] Thereby, “mail” item 59, which has been hidden below the itemdisplay area 43, is moved to the bottom in the item display area 43 anddisplayed. In addition, “volume” item 51, which has been displayed atthe top end in the item display area 43, is moved above the item displayarea 43 as the upper undisplayed item 63 and as a result, an upward icon64 which indicates that the upper undisplayed items 63 exist isdisplayed at the top in the item display area 43.

[0136] At following step SP30, the CPU 20 moves the cursor 70 and theselected “power” item 58, by further ⅓ step in a direction opposite tothe rotation direction of the jog dial 13 to become to be a second itemfrom the end in the item display area 43, and then returns to step SP2of the routine RT1.

[0137] As described above, when the downward rotation is performed tomove the cursor 70 to the bottom item in the item display area 43 whilethe lower undisplayed items 61 exist, the portable telephone 1 moves thecursor 70 downwards once to select the bottom item and then moves thecursor and all items upwards to display the item which is selectablenext at the bottom in the item display area 43.

[0138] Simultaneously, when upward rotation is performed to move thecursor to the top item in the item display area 43 while the upperundisplayed items 63 exist, the portable telephone 1 moves the cursor 70upwards once to select the top item and then moves the cursor 70 and allthe items downwards to display the item which is selectable next, at thetop in the item display area 43.

[0139] In the portable telephone 1 of this invention, since thedirection of the rotation operation of the jog dial 13 is always thesame as the movement direction of the cursor 70 as described above, thescreen display matches the inputted operation directions, so that theuser can recognize from the screen display that his rotation operationhas been surely entered and also can be prevented from enteringerroneous operations.

[0140] (4) Operations and Effects

[0141] As described above, the CPU 20 of the portable telephone 1displays the various menus 31-35 in respective colors in accordance withthe menu display control program 26, thereby allowing a user toimmediately recognize the mode of the menu 31-35 arranged in front.

[0142] In addition, the CPU 20 displays a side of each of my select menu32, tool menu 33, directory menu 34, and memory stick menu 35, which aredisplayed in respective colors, so as to see it from the sides ofsetting menu 31 arranged in front, thereby this colorful visualthree-dimensional display allows the user to immediately recognize thatthe four kinds of menus 32-35 exist other than the currently selectedsetting menu 31 arranged in front.

[0143] In addition, the CPU 20 displays the volume setting screen 38which is in a lower hierarchical layer of “volume” item 51, which hasbeen selected and confirmed by rotating and pressing the jog dial 13 outof the setting menu 31 selected by pressing the left direction key 14 orright direction key 15, in red which is the same color as the settingmenu 31, thereby the user, who is seeing the volume setting screen 38 inthe lower hierarchical layer, always knows which mode he is operatingnow, thus the user does not need to return to the higher hierarchicallayer to confirm the mode.

[0144] Furthermore, the CPU 20 displays the various menus 31-35 indedicated colors, which allows the user to immediately recognize thathis operations of the left direction key 14 and right direction key 15have been surely entered because the color of a menu arranged in frontchanges when the various menus 31-35 are rotated in turn with the leftdirection key 14 and right direction key 15. Thus, the user can preventerroneous operations which occur due to erroneously menu recognition.

[0145] Still further, the CPU 20 displays various items 51-60 which areselectable in the setting menu 31, for example, and shows existence offour kinds of menus 32-35 behind that menu, thereby allowing the user toimmediately recognize how many selectable items exist other than thesetting menu 31.

[0146] Then, after the CPU 20 displays the user-desired setting menu 31in front in response to pressing the left direction key 14 or rightdirection key 15 by the user, a desired item can be immediately selectedand confirmed by rotating and pressing the jog dial 13 only, and as aresult, in the case where plural icons corresponding to an item arearranged in a matrix, this item selection is much more effective, ascompared with the case the left direction key 14 and right direction key15 should be pressed many times.

[0147] According to the above structure, when the CPU 20 displays thevarious menus 31-35 corresponding to a mode on the display 9, thevarious menus 31-35 are displayed in respective dedicated colors,thereby allowing the user to easily and immediately recognize the kindof menu from its color, thus making it possible to provide an improvedgraphical user interface which is much easier to use with high visualproperty.

[0148] Still further, in the aforementioned structure, the CPU 20 of theportable telephone 1 displays the selected item, which is being selectedwith the cursor 70 in the menu screen 30, at the highest luminance levelwhile displaying the unselected item at luminance levels which aredecreased one by one as they get farther from the selected item, inaccordance with the menu display control program 26, thereby onlyselected item, which is selected by the cursor 70, can be brightlydisplayed, so that a selected item can be much easier to recognize for auser.

[0149] Still further, the CPU 20 displays the unselected items, whichare not selected by the cursor 70, at luminance levels and color toneswhich are decreased and darkened one by one as they get father from theselected item, which makes the user focus on the selected item which isbrightest and easiest to recognize.

[0150] Still further, the CPU 29 displays the unselected item next tothe selected item, at the luminance level of 90%, thereby the user whois focusing on the selected item can immediately recognize that itemwithout moving his eyes.

[0151] Still further, the CPU 20 displays the title letters of theselected item in a color which vividly contrasts with the area color ofthe cursor 70, and when the selected item is selected, it displays it ina bigger letter size, which offers improved visual property to users.

[0152] According to the above structure, the CPU 20 displays theselected item, which is selected by the cursor 70 in the menu screen, atthe highest luminance level while displaying the unselected items atluminance levels which are gradually decreased as they get farther fromthe selected item, so that the unselected items are difficult to see butonly selected item can be remarkable, thus making it possible to providean improved graphical user interface which is easy to use and whichallows a user to easily recognize the selected item.

[0153] Further, in the aforementioned structure, the CPU 20 of theportable telephone 1 selects a next item by moving the cursor 70 on themenu screen 30 in the same direction as the rotation operation directionof the jog dial 13, in accordance with the menu display control program26.

[0154] In this connection, in the case where the cursor 70 moves to theend item in the item display area 43 and undisplayed items exist on themovement direction side of the cursor 70, the CPU 20 selects the enditem by moving the cursor 70 in the same direction as the rotationdirection, moves the cursor 70 and the all items in the oppositedirection to the rotation operation direction, so that the cursor 70 ison the second item from the end item in the item display area 43 and ahidden undisplayed item is displayed at the end in the item display area43.

[0155] Thus, in the portable telephone 1, the rotation direction of thejog dial 13 by the user is always the same as the movement direction ofthe cursor 70, so that the user can recognize from the movement of thecursor 70 that the rotation operation of the jog dial 13 has been surelyentered, thus making it possible to prevent erroneous operations of theportable telephone 1.

[0156] In addition, in the portable telephone 1, the item which isselectable next can be always displayed in the item display area 43, sothat the item selection can be easily performed.

[0157] Furthermore, in the portable telephone 1, a novel graphicalinterface can be displayed as if the cursor 70 takes out a hiddenundisplayed item to display it in the item display area 43.

[0158] According to the above structure, in the case of moving thecursor 70 in the end direction in which undisplayed items exist, the CPU20 firstly moves the cursor 70 in the same direction as the rotationoperation direction to select the end item and then, moves the cursor 70and all items in the opposite direction to the rotation operationdirection, thereby the rotation direction of the jog dial 13 is alwaysthe same as the movement direction of the cursor 70 and also the itemwhich is selectable next can be displayed in the item display area 43,thus making it possible to provide a graphical interface which is easyto use to perform item display with high operability.

[0159] (5) Other Embodiments

[0160] Note that, the aforementioned embodiment has described the casewhere the CPU 20 serving as a control means displays a volume settingscreen 38 which is in a one-lower hierarchical layer of “volume” item 51selected in the setting menu 31, in the same color as the setting menu31. The present invention is not limited to this and if there is a lowerhierarchical screen of the volume setting screen 38, this screen can bedisplayed in the same color. In short, a screen can be displayed in thesame color as its higher hierarchical screen even if it is in much lowerhierarchical layer. In this case also, the same results can be obtainedas those of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0161] Further, the aforementioned embodiment has described the case ofdisplaying the total five kinds of various menus 31-35 in a visuallythree-dimensional display manner. The present invention, however, is notlimited to this and plural kinds of menus such as seven or nine kinds ofmenus can be displayed in the visually three-dimensional display manner,depending on the display area of the display unit 9.

[0162] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase where the CPU 20 controls luminance levels with the selected item,which is selected with the cursor 70, as a basis. The present inventionis not limited to this and the CPU 20 can directly control the luminancelevel of the selected item which is selected in accordance with therotation operation of the jog dial 13 without the cursor 70.

[0163] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase of displaying the title letters of the selected item in white whichvividly contrasts with red which is the area color of the cursor 70. Thepresent invention is not limited to this and the selected item can bedisplayed in another color which vividly contrasts with the area colorof the cursor 70.

[0164] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase of deciding the luminance level of each of the selected item andunselected items in the setting menu 31 based on the luminance levelcontrol pattern P1, P2 as shown in FIG. 16. The present invention is notlimited to this and the luminance levels of the selected item andunselected items can be gradually decreased every line in each item,based on the luminance level control pattern P3, P4 as shown in FIG. 20.In this case, the CPU 20 can display the items of the setting menu 31which have smoother gradations in color as the unselected items getfarther from the selected item.

[0165] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase of moving the cursor 70 with the jog dial 13 serving as anoperating means. The present invention is not limited to this and othervarious operating means such as the left direction key 14 and rightdirection key 15 can be used.

[0166] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase where the cursor 70 moves between items by three steps so that itcan smoothly move. The present invention is not limited to this and itcan move by another steps such as four steps or eight steps, betweenthem.

[0167] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase of displaying various menus 31-35 in a visually three-dimensionaldisplay manner and rotating them in a circle. The present invention isnot limited to this and the menus can be rotated in another type ofrotation manner other than the circle manner.

[0168] Still further, in the aforementioned embodiment, when the cursor70 is moved to the end item on a side where undisplayed items exist, thecursor 70 is moved by ⅔ step and the end item is moved by ⅓ step in theopposite direction in order to select the item. The present invention isnot limited to this and that item can be selected by moving the cursor70 by one item ({fraction (3/3)} step) at once or by moving the cursor70 ⅓ step by ⅓ step, without moving the item, and in short, the end itemis selected by moving the cursor in the operation direction and then thecursor 70 and all items can be moved in the opposite direction to theoperation direction.

[0169] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase where the cursor 70 moves upwards and downwards in the item displayarea 43 in accordance with the rotation operations of the jog dial 13,and only when the cursor 70 moves to an end item, the cursor 70 and allitems moves in the opposite direction. The present invention, however,is not limited to this and the cursor 70 is at a prescribed basicposition (for example, in the middle of the item display area 43) in theitem display area 43, and the cursor 70 is moved once in response to therotation operation of the jog dial 13, and then the cursor 70 and allitems are moved in the opposite directions, in order to display thecursor 70 at the basic position again.

[0170] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase where the CPU 20 puts the item display control program 26previously stored in the ROM 22, in the RAM 23 to perform the itemselection processing in accordance with the menu display control program26. The present invention is not limited to this and the item selectionprocessing can be performed by inserting a program storage mediumstoring the menu display control program 26 in the portable telephone 1.

[0171] As a program storage medium which is used for installing the menudisplay control program 26 for performing the aforementioned itemselection processing, in the portable telephone 1, not only packagemedium such as floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) andDVD (Digital Versataile Disc), but also a semiconductor memory andmagnetic disk which can temporarily or permanently store the menudisplay control program 26 can be used. In addition, as a means forstoring the menu display control program 26 in the program storagemedium, a wired or radio communication medium such as a local areanetwork, Internet, and digital satellite broadcasting can be used andalso storage is performed via various communication interface such as arouter and modem.

[0172] Still further, the aforementioned embodiment has described thecase where the item selection processing of the present invention isapplied to the portable telephone 1. The present invention, however, isnot limited to this and can be applied to other various informationprocessing devices such as personal computer, PDA (Personal DataAssistant).

Industrial Utilization

[0173] The information processing device, the item display method andprogram storage medium of this invention are applied to a portabletelephone, for example.

1. An information processing device for executing prescribed processingcorresponding to an item selected from a menu, comprising: menu displaymeans for displaying plural kinds of said menus on a display unit; andcontrol means for coloring and displaying said menus according to saidkinds when said menus are displayed on said display unit.
 2. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, where when there isa lower hierarchical menu of said item confirmed in said menu, saidcontrol means displays the lower hierarchical menu in the same color assaid menu.
 3. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein when plural kinds of said menus are displayed on said displayunit, said menu display means three-dimensionally displays said menus bydisplaying the selected menu in front and the unselected menus behindsaid selected menu; and said control means rotationally displays saidmenus altogether so that said unselected menus move from behind to frontin response to the operations of prescribed operating means.
 4. An itemdisplay method, comprising: a menu display step of displaying pluralkinds of menus on a display unit; and a control step of, when displayingsaid menus on said display unit in said menu display step, coloring anddisplaying said menus according to said kinds.
 5. The item displaymethod according to claim 4, wherein when there is a lower hierarchicalmenu of said item confirmed from said menu, said control step is todisplay said lower hierarchical menu in the same color as said menu. 6.The item display method according to claim 4, wherein when plural kindsof said menus are displayed on said display unit, said menu display stepis to three-dimensionally display said menus by displaying the selectedmenu in front and displaying the plural unselected menus behind saidselected menu; and said control step is to rotationally display saidmenus altogether so that said unselected menus move from behind to frontin response to the operations of prescribed operating means.
 7. Aprogram storage medium which makes an information processing deviceexecute a program, said program comprising: a menu display step ofdisplaying plural kinds of menus on a display unit; and a control stepof, when displaying said menus on said display unit in said menu displaystep, coloring and displaying said menus according to said kinds.
 8. Theprogram storage medium according to claim 7, wherein when there is alower hierarchical menu of said item confirmed in said menu, saidcontrol step is to display said lower hierarchical menu in the samecolor as said menu.
 9. The program storage medium according to claim 7,wherein when plural kinds of said menus are displayed on said displayunit, said menu display step is to three-dimensionally display saidmenus by displaying the selected menu in front and displaying theunselected menus behind said selected menu; and said control step is torotationally display said menus altogether so that said unselected menusmove from behind to front in response to the operations of prescribedoperating means.
 10. An information processing device for executingprescribed processing corresponding to an item confirmed from a menuhaving plural items, comprising: menu display means for displaying saidmenus on a display unit; item recognition means for recognizing anarbitrary item selected from said menu in response to the operations ofprescribed operating means; and control means for displaying theselected item recognized by said item recognition means, at the highestluminance level and displaying the unselected items at luminance levelswhich are gradually decreased as said unselected items get farther fromsaid selected item.
 11. The information processing device according toclaim 10, wherein said control means changes the color tones of saidunselected items as said unselected items get farther from said selecteditem.
 12. The information processing device according to claim 10,wherein said control means displays the letters of said selected item ina larger size than the letters of said unselected items.
 13. An itemdisplay method comprising: a recognition step of recognizing anarbitrary item selected in response to the operations of prescribedoperating means from a menu having a plurality of items displayed on adisplay unit by menu display means; and a display control step ofdisplaying the selected item recognized in said item recognition step,at the highest luminance level and displaying the luminance levels ofthe unselected items which are not recognized, at luminance levels whichare gradually decreased as said unselected items get farther from saidselected item.
 14. The item display method according to claim 13,wherein said display control step is to change the color tones of saidunselected items as said unselected items get farther from said selecteditem.
 15. The item display method according to claim 13, wherein saiddisplay control step is to display the letters of said selected item ina bigger size than the letters of said unselected items.
 16. A programstorage medium for making an information processing device execute aprogram, said program comprising: an item recognition step ofrecognizing an arbitrary item selected in response to the operations ofprescribed operating means from a menu having plural items displayed ona display unit by menu display means; and a display control step ofdisplaying the selected item recognized in said item recognition step atthe highest luminance level, and displaying the unselected items whichare not recognized, at luminance levels which are gradually decreased assaid unselected items get farther from said selected item.
 17. Theprogram storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said displaycontrol step is to change the color tones of said unselected items assaid unselected items get farther from said selected item.
 18. Theprogram storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said displaycontrol step is to display the letters of said selected item in a largersize than the letters of said unselected items.
 19. An informationprocessing device for executing prescribed processing corresponding toan item selected from plural items, comprising: item display means forlisting and displaying at least some of said plural items in a displayarea of a display unit; indicator display means for displaying anindicator in said display area to select one of said items beingdisplayed in said display area; and control means for, when a new saiditem is selected by moving said indicator in response to the movementoperations of operating means, moving said indicator and all said itemsaltogether in the opposite direction to the movement direction of saidindicator, to display said indicator at the position before movement.20. The information processing device according to claim 19, whereinwhen there is no undisplayed items, which are not displayed in saiddisplay area, next to an end item at the end part of said display areaand said indicator selects said end item, said control means displayssaid indicator and all said items without moving them.
 21. Theinformation processing device according to claim 19, wherein saidcontrol means displays the selected item being selected by saidindicator at the highest luminance level and displays the unselecteditems at luminance levels which are gradually decreased as saidunselected items get farther from said selected item.
 22. Theinformation processing device according to claim 19, wherein saidcontrol means displays the letters of said selected item in a largersize than the letters of said unselected items.
 23. An item displaymethod, comprising: an item display step of listing and displaying atleast some of plural items in a display area of a display unit; anindicator display step of displaying an indicator in said display areato select one of said items being displayed in said display area; and adisplay control step of, when a new said item is selected by moving saidindicator in response to the movement operations of operating means,moving said indicator and all said items in the opposite direction tothe movement direction of said indicator, in order to display saidindicator at the position before movement.
 24. The item display methodaccording to claim 23, wherein when there is no undisplayed items, whichare not displayed in said display area, next to the end item displayedat the end part in said display area and said indicator selects said enditem, said display control step is to display said indicator and allsaid items without moving them.
 25. The item display method according toclaim 23, wherein said display control step is to display the selecteditem being selected by said indicator at the highest luminance level anddisplays the unselected items at luminance levels which are graduallydecreased as said unselected items get father from the selected item.26. The item display method according to claim 23, wherein said displaycontrol step is to display the letters of said selected item in a largersize than the letters of said unselected items.
 27. A program storagemedium for making an information processing device execute a program,said program comprising: an item display step of listing and displayingat least some of plural items in a display area of a display unit; anindicator display step of displaying an indicator in said display areato select of said items being displayed in said display area; and adisplay control step of, when a new said item is selected by moving saidindicator in response to the movement operation of operating means,moving said indicator and all said items altogether in the oppositedirection to the movement direction of said indicator, in order todisplay said indicator to the position before movement.
 28. The programstorage medium according to claim 27, wherein when there is noundisplayed items, which are not displayed in said display area, next tothe end item being displayed at the end part in said display area andsaid indicator selects said end item, said display control step is todisplay said indicator and all said items without moving them.
 29. Theprogram storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said displaycontrol step is to display the selected item being selected by saidindicator, at the highest luminance level and displays the unselecteditems at luminance levels which are gradually decreased as saidunselected items get farther from said selected item.
 30. The programstorage medium according to claim 27, wherein said display control stepis to display the letters of said selected items in a larger size thanthe letters of said unselected items.